The huge palace was built in the 18th century for the first duke of Marlborough in 1704. He inflicted a huge unexpected defeat on the army of France. Queen Ann wanted to give him a gift, but she also wanted the future to remember the victory. So she built this palace for him to live in and the Duke still lives to this day. The whole house is built on such a splendid and dramatic scale, it stands as a monument and that’s what it’s all about.

Helen: So the palace was built for the first duke of Marlborough. His name was John Churchill.

Sun Chen: Marlborough公爵一世, 是英国历史上最伟大的战士. 正是他,在1704年, 率领英国军队打败了法国军队.

Helen: He inflicted a huge unexpected defeat on the army of France.

Sun Chen: 强加于人 inflict, 没有料到的失败 unexpected defeat. 这场大战之后, 整个欧洲的政治版图, 都发生了巨变.

Helen: And as a way of saying thank you, the Queen of that time, Queen Ann, gave the first duke of Marlborough the money to build this palace to live in.